Why Am I Doing This?
November 9, 2020 — Laura House
I had the great pleasure of homeschooling my children and many of my favorite memories stem from those times together. Without anyone to mentor me, I didn’t fully grasp how it should be done so I simply implemented what I knew. I positioned three little desks in the kitchen, purchased three science books, three history books, and a ton of worksheets. Megan didn’t mind the worksheets, but the boys weren’t big fans of them.
Once when Nathan was in kindergarten, I handed him the next worksheet for the day. I still remember his sweet little face and big brown eyes as he asked so innocently, “Mommy, why am I doing this one?” It stopped me in my tracks. Why are you doing that one!? This little guy needed to be outside climbing trees and creating adventures in the sandbox, not filling in another worksheet.
“You know what? You don’t need to do that one. Just go outside and play.”
That was the end of the multiple worksheets, workbooks, quizzes and tests. Thankfully I met a friend who introduced me to a different way of teaching and we all began to look forward to learning together each day.
One fall after moving to Maple Grove Farm, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the wonderful books we would be studying in the school year ahead. Each day we hoped that the UPS man would drive up the long lane to deliver the long-awaited treasures. Finally, that day came.
All three kids, now ages nine, eleven, and thirteen, rushed to the front porch to meet him, anticipation clearly visible. “Early Christmas presents?” he queried. Without even thinking what it might’ve sounded like, I simply answered, “No, we homeschool and these are the books for this year.” He looked at me with a “well if you say so” kind of look, and left.
Sadly, we discovered that he had only delivered half of our order, so the entire scene repeated itself the following day. After the kids dragged the second shipment into the house, the UPS man looked at me while shaking his head in disbelief and said, “Lady, I wish my kids had some of what yours do.” Surprised by his comment, I realized that not all kids felt this way.
I’m thankful that my children loved learning and still do. So much of life is about learning, isn’t it? And it’s no different when we become adults, or at least, it shouldn’t be. We have so much to learn.
After Nathan left us I began a quest for learning, unlike anything I’d ever done before. I had so many questions! Why are we really here? What’s the point of earthly life? Does God “cause” people to die or simply “allow” it? Why does a loving God allow pain and suffering? What am I personally supposed to do until I die?
Interestingly, I no longer cared what anyone else thought about my questions, even renowned scholars and experts. None of the hundreds of books on our shelves, sermons, or people I know could give me the answers I sought. For the first time in my life and in the midst of my indescribable pain and confusion, I only cared about what God actually says. So I began a new quest to delve into His Word in a deeper way to find the answers to my many questions.
Now lest you think I have it all figured out or spend as much time as I should in the process, I’ll be transparent and tell you that I struggle to spend the time I should. And four and a half years later I still don’t have all the answers I’m seeking. But I want to encourage you with this guarantee. If you jump into the Bible you will discover far more than you hope for. Through the pages of God’s Word, you will find your purpose, the meaning of earthly life, and hope, strength, and power.
Romans 15:4— “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Hebrews 4:12-13— “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
John 8:31-32— “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Psalm 119:105— “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17— “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Proverbs 30:5— “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
